THE restoration of one of Burnley’s crown jewels is set to be celebrated with a series of events throughout the summer.

Heritage experts are building up to a celebration parade to mark the end of £2.1million improvements to Towneley Park, funded by the National Lottery. Five years of careful and painstaking work has gone into the overhaul of the former seat of the Towneley family, which became a public park in 1902.

Horticulturalists have restored the Italian flower garden to its early 20th Century glory and the landmark Foldy’s Cross, which dates back to 1520, has been repaired. The old stables now has a glass-fronted conservatory while the lime avenue has been revived with the planting of hundreds of bulbs.

More than 1,000 metres of stone walls are now sturdier and 70 new trees have replaced diseased specimen along the main drive.

Events lined up for June 11 to 13 include the parade, a teddy bears’ picnic and tea parties galore.

Annette Birch, Heritage Lottery Fund project manager, said: “There is so much going on that every family member is catered for. The project has been such an interesting and exciting one to be a part of, and we really want as many people from Burnley and the surrounding areas to come along and share in what has been created and restored.

“Towneley Park has been open to the public since 1902 and we really hope that visitors turn out in the hundreds to celebrate this special part of our town.”

Workshops are being staged in the run-up to the three-day spectacular, where costumes will be crafted.

And students at Unity College, in Towneley’s grounds, are also involved, making handicrafts.